"why"

When I first met my Mathematics lecturer, Mr. John Taylor, he briefed us about himself. I think he was from New Zealand and his family lives there while he teaches us here in KYSB (Kolej Yayasan Saad Business School). He told us that apart from the food in Malaysia, he also loves the people.We were all immediately intrigued. And so he explained.

He said, back in New Zealand (or it could be Australia, I'm sorry I can't exactly remember), if the boss were to ask this one person to jump, that person would automatically jump as asked. But the thing with Malaysians are that when we are asked to jump, we would ask back "how high do you want me to jump?" I think what Mr. John was trying to explain was that he finds Malaysians unique and intelligent, in a way I guess. Not bluntly doing as asked, but asking for the details needed before doing it.

For me, though, if I were ever asked to jump, I'd first simply ask "why?". I'd want to know the reasons behind the things I'm asked to do. When I get the reasons, I'll then ask for details like how high or how many time etc. If someone were to tell me to bring a sick cat to a vet, I'd wanna know why. I find it unsettling to be doing stuff or errands for people without be given justification of why I were given the instructions to do them because in the end, actions have consequences. And I can't go on not knowing the consequences of the actions I'm asked to do.

With that, I'm sorry Mr. John but I guess I'm not one of the typical Malaysians you look up to.